The patronage of national schools

There are currently about three thousand primary (national) schools in Ireland. About 94% are under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church; about 3% are under the patronage of the Church of Ireland; a very small number of schools are under the patronage of the Presbyterian or Methodist Churches; two schools are under Muslim patronage; there is one school under Jewish patronage; there are 56 schools in the Educate Together network; and about the same number under the patronage of An Foras Gaelscolaiochta. A small number of special schools for intellectually and physically challenged children are under the patronage of a variety of organisations and bodies, including St. Michael’s House and other corporate bodies.